Owner Corner

WorldMark® Owners share stories of memorable moments, celebrated occasions, and the hobbies they pursue at their favorite resorts. If you have a great story or if you would like to share your WorldMark Owner experience, we would love to hear it!.

2nd Place Share Your Story Winner
May 2014

"The whole meaning of vacationing is to be in a place or a moment in time that brings peace, laughter, awe and at least one new experience. Our recent trip to Maui was one of those vacations.

Debi and I had planned to go many months ago. Little did we know that we would end up with six people, a makeshift family reunion and the trip of a lifetime for our beautiful friend, Cindy. I used to say I never wanted to go to Hawaii — until I went.

So it all began with Deb and I planning a trip back to Maui just as the Oregon weather started to turn chilly with fall. As Cindy went through chemotherapy, Debi asked her to join us as a get-well gift of sorts. We had also been attempting to get Debi's dad Pete and his cousin, Walt together. It had been far too many years since the clan had all been in the same place at the same time.

Maui time? You bet. We checked in and it was so cool because the staff remembered us from our last visit. We really do enjoy our stays at WorldMark for so many reasons. We have found that several of the locations have long-term staff that remember people over the years. It's like coming home to the places we visit repeatedly. That first night we cut up some fruit, grabbed a piece of cheese or maybe a piece of toast and just sat down. Like water over the falls the frenzy of a really crazy year started to lift.

Our last full day in Maui is always bittersweet. It's the day that I know I could live there, find a little house near a mango tree somewhere close to the beach and just plant myself. Then life at home calls — our beautiful children, family and friends, not to mention the whole work/paycheck/mortgage thing!

That night we took a little walk on the beach. Took a couple more breaths and let ourselves hope that time will find us back in this place with people we love. The warmth of the people mirrors the warm weather and grace of this side of the planet. Once more we were able to embrace family, bring our own brand of love with us on vacation and live in the moment."

Note: this essay was edited for length.

Anna Wilson
Oregon City, Oregon

3rd Place Share Your Story Winner
May 2014

"Our favorite beach resort destination is WorldMark Coral Baja in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. We first visited in 2010 when we went with our neighbors who are also WorldMark owners. They go every year and were excited to show us around the local area. We fell in love with the resort almost immediately! The grounds are beautiful and you can see the beach from many of the rooms. Waking up in the morning to the amazing sunrise over the beach, then walking down and having breakfast at the on-site restaurant while listening to the waves is a wonderful way to start the day. There were so many things to do within walking distance or by a short drive.

Since we enjoyed our stay so much, we decided to gift a week's stay to our son and his new wife as a wedding present. Once we got to thinking about how nice it was having "tour guides" on our trip we purchased a week's stay for ourselves as well, only arriving the day before the kids were to arrive. We figured we could show them around the area just as our friends had done for us. But … we were going to keep it a surprise!

Everyone teased that we were going to "crash" their honeymoon, but of course we were going to stay in a totally different room. The day the airport shuttle bus pulled up with our son and his wife, we were sitting out front on the bench with a welcoming cold drink for them. They were shocked to say the least, but also relieved since they wondered how they would find their way around, never having travelled to Mexico before. We spent a lot of time at the resort, enjoying all the amenities and also toured them around San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

Our neighbors still visit WorldMark Coral Baja annually and we hope to return in early 2015. You can't go long without those palm trees, the sunshine and the beautiful beach and swimming pool, but the pictures and memories we've made will have to do for now."